Proud daughter pays tribute to late inspirational father

A PROUD daughter has paid tribute to her inspirational father who passed away at the end of January following a successful career as a deaf footballer.

Kenneth Turner died on January 27 at the age of 71.

He enjoyed a glittering football career which included representing the England Deaf Association team at the World Cup and playing all across the UK as a goalkeeper for various teams – always championing the cause of deaf people in football.

Kenneth’s funeral will take place at the Robin Hood Crematorium on Tuesday (February 16 at 12.30pm) and old friends, team mates and acquaintances are being invited to turn up and pay their respects.

The invite has been sent out by Kenneth’s daughter Claire Lawrence, who has paid tribute to her beloved dad – and also asked anyone with more information about his life and playing career to get in touch.

She said: “I’m very proud of my dad and everything he achieved.

“Knowing he shared such great memories with some of the most skilled deaf footballers our country had to offer is wonderful.

“But it’s a case of where to start when I look at the list of his achievements throughout his life.

“It’s a shame because as he got older, people became less familiar with his achievements and it’d be nice to celebrate his life for the great footballer he was.”

Claire is particularly keen to track down a cartoonist who used to illustrate football teams during her father’s heyday.

The artist, believed to be named Norman Edwards, sketched Kenneth on a number of occasions.

Claire said: “I believe Norman had something to do with the Birmingham Sports Argus and I’d be keen to track him down.”

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